NCAA Spokesperson Explains Why KWAM1 Has Not Been Prosecuted – Amebonation – Nigeria's No 1 online website for 100% accurate and accessible information

The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mike Achimugu, has provided clarification on why Fuji musician KWAM1 has not been arraigned in court, unlike Ms. Emmanson, who was recently prosecuted for unruly behavior aboard an Ibom Air flight.

Following Emmanson’s arraignment before a Lagos Magistrate Court, many Nigerians took to social media demanding similar legal action against KWAM1, citing alleged disruptive conduct during a flight.

Speaking during an interview on Channels TV on August 12, Achimugu explained that, in KWAM1’s case, the airline involved chose not to press charges—unlike Ibom Air, which actively pursued legal action against Emmanson, resulting in her arraignment.

“The airline [in KWAM1’s case]did not activate its right to take the passenger to court. As a result, the NCAA petitioned relevant authorities to prosecute the passenger and issued an advisory to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) recommending a flight ban,” Achimugu stated.

He further clarified that the NCAA does not have the legal authority to prosecute individuals. However, the agency has formally petitioned both the Attorney General of the Federation and the Nigeria Police to take up the case against KWAM1.

“In the Ibom Air case, the airline immediately exercised its right to seek legal redress, possibly because a member of staff was assaulted. NCAA was not involved in the legal proceedings in that instance,” he added.

See also LAWMA warns against street trading The Lagos Waste Management Authority has announced that from next week, people found buying goods from traders operating illegally on roads, medians, setbacks, walkways and other unauthorised public spaces will be arrested and prosecuted. LAWMA said the measure is in line with Section 151(2) of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law 2017. The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the move formed part of a renewed enforcement strategy aimed at curbing illegal trading, indiscriminate waste disposal and the obstruction of public infrastructure across Lagos State. Gbadegesin said enforcement would no longer focus only on traders operating in prohibited areas, as customers who patronise them would also be held accountable under the law. “The law does not only prohibit illegal street trading. It also makes it an offence to buy goods exposed or offered for sale in prohibited places. From next week, anyone found buying from traders operating on roadsides, medians, walkways, setbacks or other unauthorised spaces will be arrested, alongside the traders, and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” he said. He added that anyone convicted of the offence could face a fine of N90,000, six months’ imprisonment, or both. Gbadegesin said illegal markets operating on roadsides and medians frequently generate waste that is dumped in drains, on roads and in other public spaces, contributing to blocked drainage channels, traffic congestion and public health risks. “Our objective is to stop the cycle that allows illegal trading and indiscriminate waste disposal to return after enforcement operations. Traders occupy public spaces because people continue to patronise them. Buyers must understand that their actions sustain the problem and that they are also accountable under the law,” he said. The LAWMA boss also said the Authority was strengthening waste collection in inner streets and communities around areas where illegal dumping hotspots had previously been cleared. He said identified service gaps would be addressed, while deliberate dumping, repeated dumping and continued patronage of illegal markets would attract enforcement. Gbadegesin urged residents and businesses to use recognised markets and approved waste collection channels, saying personal convenience should not come at the expense of public health, environmental sanitation, road safety and the orderly use of shared public spaces. He reaffirmed LAWMA’s commitment to sustained enforcement, stakeholder engagement and improved waste collection services as part of efforts to eliminate open dumping and improve sanitation across Lagos.